Santiago, June 29 (IANS) Peru coach Ricardo Gareca believes the pressure on the hosts Chile to win Copa America 2015 is something his side can exploit in their semi-final clash.
Peru booked their place in the final four with an impressive 3-1 win over Bolivia in the previous stage, while the hosts eliminated defending champions Uruguay.
And the coach feels that the weight of expectation on Chile from the home support can be a benefit for his side.
“Chile have a lot of pressure – a heavy burden to win due to being hosts – and we will try to take advantage,” Gareca said in a press conference on Sunday.
Peru take on Chile in the semis hee on Monday.
Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli will be unable to call upon centre-back Gonzalo Jara after he was handed a three-match ban for his part in a clash with Edinson Cavani in their quarter-final fixture, but the 57-year-old does not feel it will make a difference.
“They have players capable of replacing Jara, it will not change much,” he added.
“I do not see the match as complex. It will be 11 against 11. We can give a good show.”
Gareca would not give away any hints over his team selection for the match at the Estadio Nacional stadium here, but suggested their could be a shift in their formation.
“I still haven’t defined the the team but I have it in my head. I will decide tomorrow,” the coach said.
“We have the possibility of changing our tactics, but I cannot change the style and how we play.”
Along with Sampaoli, Gerardo Martino and Ramon Diaz, Gareca is one of the four Argentine coaches at the semi-final stage.
Argentina and Paraguay are the other two teams in the semi-final.
He expressed his pleasure at seeing his compatriots in the final four, but he does not feel it is something that will be repeated.
“It is unprecedented that four Argentine coaches reach the semi-finals. It’s great, but I do not think it will happen again.”
